In a series, motoring reporter Shawn McAvinue spends five minutes talking with Dunedin motorsport enthusiasts about their passion for their form of racing.
Q: When did you get it?
I imported it from Portugal in March but because of lockdown, I’ve only just started competing in it.
Q: How much does one of these cost?
About $40,000 new. New Zealand rally driver Hayden Paddon is the importer for them. We got this one second-hand, so it wasn’t as much.
Q: Where and when was your first race?
The Central Otago Motorsport Club event the Golden Road Autocross in Alexandra last month.
Q: What types of vehicles were you competing against?
Rally cars.
Q: What is it like to drive?
Fun, easy to drive and fast. It has a lot of power.
Q: What powers it?
A Suzuki GSXR750 – a motorcycle engine with six gears. The engine produces about 170hp and the kart weighs about 300kg.
Q: How fast can the kart go?
I drove it at a sprint event at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell and got it up to about 180kmh.
Q: Will you only compete in it in club events?
Motorsport New Zealand launched a crosskart class championship this year, so my aim is to compete in that. There are two qualifying rounds in the South Island and two qualifying rounds in the North Island this year and the South Otago Car Club is hosting the national final early next year. In the final you have to complete two sealed hill climbs and two gravel hill climbs.
Q: How many crosskarts are there in New Zealand?
Five at the moment and I believe another five are on the way.
Q: What’s your long-term goal?
Win the club championship and then the nationals.
Q: Do you have any sponsors?
Just Dad.
